Clinic Nurse

Summary

We are seeking a Clinic Nurse to join our HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Team. The Clinic Nurse will provide front line client care outreach testing and health promotion to clients living with or are at risk of contracting HCV and HIV.

The Clinic Nurse works with an interdisciplinary team focusing on the needs of people who are significantly marginalized by poverty drug use mental health and housing issues. This position will support individuals along the continuum of care from health promotion to harm reduction. High level of engagement with the clients is essential for successful Hepatitis C and HIV treatment.

The Clinic Nurse works as a member of a multidisciplinary team supported by a Nurse Practitioner Care Coordinators and Harm Reduction Workers. The successful candidate will act with professionalism and courtesy toward clients the general public and colleagues and will demonstrate knowledge and valuing of the clients lived and living experience.

The Gilbert Centre is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization that was incorporated in 1995 in response to the HIV epidemic in Simcoe County and Muskoka Region. The mandate of the Centre has broadened to not only support people at risk of living with and affected by HIV HCV and other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) but to also support and celebrate the lives of the 2S-LGBTQ communities in our regions. Gilbert Centre covers a large catchment area encompassing a significant geographic territory with a mix of small and mid-sized urban environments and rural settings.

Reporting Manager: HIV and HCV Program Manager

Key Role and Responsibilities

Frontline/ Nursing Care

• Will provide comprehensive primary care nursing assessments including analysis of health behaviours related to lifestyle and culture review of clients medical history physical assessments nursing diagnosis and in collaboration with the client develop and implement the care plans.

• Have the ability to work independently under medical directives to screen for HCV HIV and other STBBIs provide test results order pre- and post-treatment workup and administer vaccines.

• Ability to triage and consult Nurse Practitioner as needed.

• Liaise virtual appointments between the patient and Nurse Practitioner.

• Maintain schedule for HIV and HCV patient follow-up.

• Provide health teaching and harm reduction strategies to prevent HCV HIV and other STBBI.

• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

• Meet clients in their own space if that is considered more conducive to the treatment. This includes clients homes in shelters/other agencies on the street or in encampments.

• Maintain complete and accurate records in accordance with the CNO and Organizations policies.

Professional Code of Conduct and Standards

• Ensure adherence to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Code of Conduct and that all nursing practices align with the CNOs practice standards to maintain professional accountability and ethical integrity in all interactions with clients colleagues and the work is highly independent and self-directed.

• Demonstrate a commitment to upholding the highest standards of practice by integrating the Code of Conduct and related CNO standards into daily clinical decision-making and care delivery.

• Manage professionalism concerns or complaints in accordance with CNO guidelines ensuring timely and accurate reporting of any issues including addressing and resolving professional conduct matters as required by CNO regulations.

• Actively participate in the performance appraisal process including a comprehensive self-evaluation to identify areas for growth acknowledge strengths and pursue continuous professional development.

• Identify report and participate in the debriefing of client safety incidents good catches occupational health and safety incidents and near-misses to foster a culture of safety learning and improvement within the workplace.

• Guarantee compliance with all reporting obligations related to incidents client safety and professional conduct and collaborate with appropriate teams to implement corrective actions as needed.

• Participate in peer chart audit reviews to ensure CNO standards are met.

Clinic Maintenance

• Assist in vaccine management including ordering and daily temperature checks.

• Manage clinic inventory and order supplies as needed.

• Complete quality control of medical devices such as POC glucose meter.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Participate in team and organization-wide meetings and committees initiatives and events.

• Engage in the development implementation monitoring and evaluation of the program including quality improvement initiatives for the communities served.

• Collaborate with other programs to foster an integrated interprofessional care model of delivery and act as a consultant and resource to the leadership team as well as clinical and non clinical staff.

Community Engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships through outreach and pop-up clinics when/where appropriate and engage constructively and effectively with Gilbert Centres numerous community partner agencies to ensure the success of the HIV & HCV program.

• Organize Hepatitis C screening and treatment clinics in the community.
• The responsibilities described above are representative and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.

Qualifications

• Current registration as a Registered Practical Nurse (equivalent or greater designation acceptable) and membership in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario with no restrictions to practice.

• Current membership with a Registered Nurses Association and malpractice insurance.

• Current BLS/CPR certification.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies including opioid overdose is required.

• Awareness of and sensitivity to the health issues of a diverse community and experience working with disenfranchised populations (including but not limited to PWUD those employed in sex work the 2S-LGBTQ communities and for people living with HIV and/or HCV).
• A personal comfort discussing sex and sexual health related topics.

• Vaccines up to date (including COVID primary series highly encouraged).
• 2 to 5 years nursing experience in a community setting public health setting and/or primary care and/or willingness to learn.

• Ability to work with diverse communities with respect sensitivity creativity innovation cultural understanding non-judgement and facilitation skills.

• Demonstrated expertise in medical laboratory procedures such as phlebotomy skills or willingness to learn and thorough knowledge and understanding of infection prevention and control practices and procedures

• Experience working with mental health and people who use drugs is an asset.

• Familiarity with harm reduction philosophy and principles of trauma informed care.

• Strong computer skills including the use of MS Office Products and Electronic Medical Records.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Training in behaviour de-escalation or willingness to learn preferred.

Working Conditions

• Walk up 3-5 km per shift in a variety of weather conditions.

• Lift up to 20 lbs.
• Stand for extended periods.
• Frequent wearing of a backpack with up to 20 lbs. while providing walking outreach for extended periods.
• Frequent computer use.

Compensation

• $28.00 /hour based on a 35-hour work week Monday to Friday
• Unionized position within CUPE 1813.14
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Paid office closure from December 25th to January 1st
• Up to 7 weeks of paid time off to start (3 weeks of Vacation Time 3 weeks of Sick Time 1 week Float Time)
• Benefits after 3 months including Vision Dental Drug Plan etc.

The Gilbert Centre is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build an inclusive workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the community in which we live. To this end we encourage applications from persons with lived experience with drug use sex work homelessness street involvement; those living with HIV/HCV; members of 2SLGBTQ communities Indigenous peoples members of diverse ethno-cultural communities and persons with dis/abilities. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment and selection process. If you are contacted about an employment opportunity please advise if you require accommodation.

How to Apply:

Apply through BambooHR and attach your cover letter and resume. If you have any questions or need assistance contact Rebecca Pongracz HIV/HCV Program Manager at Internal applications will be reviewed in accordance with our collective agreement. The position will remain active until it is filled. If there are no internal applicants we will begin reviewing external applications. Please also let us know which pronouns you would like us to use when corresponding with you directly and within the Gilbert Centre.

Experience:

Senior IC